A comparison of maceration methods for the preparation of infant skeletal remains for forensic anthropological analysis.

Very little literature currently exists prescribing which maceration method to use when preparing infant human remains, resulting in bone quality that is suitable for forensic anthropological analysis. The aim of the study was to test five maceration methods to determine which is most suitable for infant remains for forensic anthropological analysis. The sample included five neonate pig carcasses (Sus scrofa domesticus), ranging between one to three days old. Five maceration methods were tested on the pig carcasses (one pig per maceration method) to determine their effectiveness. The methods included invertebrate maceration by meal worms, chemical maceration by bleach, chemical maceration by borax solution, enzymatic maceration by laundry detergent and sodium carbonate solution, and chemical maceration by sodium hypochlorite. A scoring method was created to assess the effectiveness of each maceration method. Invertebrate maceration and chemical maceration using bleach were the least successful methods of maceration (total maceration score = 8 respectively). Chemical maceration using borax and chemical maceration using sodium hypochlorite achieved complete maceration of the skeletal remains; however, they both resulted in artifacts that are unsuitable for forensic analysis (total maceration score = 14 respectively). Enzymatic maceration using laundry detergent and sodium carbonate was the most successful method (total maceration score = 17). The detergent technique subsequently successfully macerated all five sets of infant human remains. This study has validated that the enzymatic maceration technique using laundry detergent and sodium carbonate can be used to effectively macerate the remains of infant skeletal remains for forensic anthropological analysis.

Sewage sludge composting under semi-permeable film at full-scale: Evaluation of odour emissions and relationships between microbiological activities and physico-chemical variables.

In the present study, physico-chemical characteristics, heavy metals content, odour emissions, microbial enumeration and enzymatic activities were analysed during industrial scale composting of sewage sludge partially pre-treated to evaluate the effect of a combined system of semi-permeable film and aeration on these parameters. The results related to physico-chemical parameters showed a decrease in total organic carbon (TOC), organic matter (OM), total carbon (TC) along the process. Volatile solids (VS) were also reduced, reaching 36% at 120 days, which is above the limit according to the current legislation. Similarly, metal content was found to be an important variable in the evolution of enzymatic activity, while lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), and nickel (Ni) were the most influential. Moreover, heavy metals were found below the limit of type B compost quality or European class 2 at the end of the process, which is suitable for agriculture soil. The odorous impact generated during the hydrolytic stage was reduced to an average value of 4 ouE/s. This suggests that, covered stage with the semi-permeable film, could be a viable solution to mitigate odour emissions. The highest temperature was reached at 10 days and it was favoured by semi-permeable film. Temperature promoted the presence of thermophilic bacteria and fungi and indicated an early biodegradation process mediated by microorganisms. Statistical analyses revealed a high correlation of physico-chemical variables with microbial activity. Thus, samples from the first 14 days were highly correlated with enzymatic activities such as ß-glucosidase (Ac-ßGlu), protease (Ac-Pr), and dehydrogenase (Ac-De), which have usually been involved in the hydrolysis of organic matter.

Pharmaceutical active compounds in sewage sludge: Degradation improvement and conversion into an organic amendment by bioaugmentation-composting processes.

Around 143,000 chemicals find their fate in wastewater treatment plants in the European Union. Low efficiency on their removal at lab-based studies and even poorer performance at large scale experiments have been reported. Here, a coupled biological technology (bioaugmentation and composting) is proposed and proved for pharmaceutical active compounds degradation and toxicity reduction. The optimization was conducted through in situ inoculation of Penicillium oxalicum XD 3.1 and an enriched consortium (obtained from non-digested sewage sludge), into pilot scale piles of sewage sludge under real conditions. This bioaugmentation-composting system allowed a better performance of micropollutants degradation (21 % from the total pharmaceuticals detected at the beginning of the experiment) than a traditional composting process. Particularly, inoculation with P. oxalicum allowed the degradation of some recalcitrant compounds like carbamazepine, cotinine and methadone, and also produced better stabilization features in the mature compost (significant passivation of copper and zinc, higher macronutrients value, adequate physicochemical conditions for soil direct application and less toxic effect on germination) compared to the control and the enriched culture. These findings provide a feasible, alternative strategy to obtain a safer mature compost and a better removal of micropollutants performance at large scale.

Union of the medial clavicular epiphysis in a South African Black skeletal sample.

Current research points to an increase in the interest in and focus on the age at which the medial end of the clavicle begins and completes union in various populations worldwide. As it currently stands, no information exists for the South African population detailing the age at which this skeletal developmental marker commences or completes union. The aim of this study was to establish the age at which partial and complete unions occur and to find if there is any correlation between the age and the assigned stage score in a South African Black skeletal sample. Paired clavicles of 211 males and females (M = 101, F = 110) with ages ranging between 12 and 45 years from the Raymond A. Dart Collection of Human Skeletons were included. A strong correlation between age and the assigned stage score was observed for both males and females (rs = 0.73). No statistically significant differences between the stage of union at the left and right clavicles were observed (p = 0.9). In this sample, partial union was commonly observed in individuals in their third decade of life; while complete union occurred more often in individuals older than 30 years of age. Assessing and recording the degree of union at the medial end of the clavicle can be a helpful additional age-at-death indicator to use when establishing an age-at-death range. However, overlap and variability between the ages of individuals categorized as either displaying signs of partial or complete union were evident.

Eye tracking impairment in clinically identified patients with schizotypal personality disorder.

Eye tracking accuracy, which has been found to be impaired in schizophrenic patients and their relatives, was assessed in 26 patients with schizotypal personality disorder, 17 control subjects with other non-schizophrenia-related personality disorders, 29 normal control subjects, and 44 schizophrenic patients. Both schizotypal and schizophrenic patients, but not control subjects with other personality disorders, demonstrated significantly more impaired tracking than the normal control subjects. These results suggest that patients with clinically defined schizotypal personality disorder may be biologically related to schizophrenic patients as part of a spectrum of schizophrenia-related disorders.

CSF homovanillic acid in schizotypal personality disorder.

CSF concentrations of homovanillic acid (HVA) were measured in 10 patients with schizotypal personality disorder and 14 patients with other personality disorders. The patients with schizotypal personality disorder had higher CSF HVA concentrations than the patients with other personality disorders. Furthermore, the psychotic-like schizotypal symptoms correlated positively with the CSF HVA concentrations. These results suggest a central dopaminergic dysfunction associated with the psychotic-like symptoms of schizotypal personality disorder.

The effects of ioxaglate 320, iohexol 350, and iopamidol 370 on erythrocyte aggregation.

The authors report a randomized, double-blind prospective trial comparing the effects of nonionic with ionic low-osmolar contrast media on erythrocyte aggregation. The study group comprised 40 consecutive patients with pathology necessitating selective angiography. Patients were examined using either ioxaglate 320, iohexol 350, or iopamidol 370. Erythrocyte aggregation was assessed both macroscopically and microscopically. Erythrocyte aggregation occurred more frequently in the iopamidol group (13 of 45 samples examined) than in the iohexol (4 of 46) or ioxaglate (5 of 51) groups (P = .002).

Injection of a silicone prepolymer system into the gallbladder of rabbits.

The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of a new nonsurgical treatment for cholelithiasis. This involved injecting a liquid prepolymer into the gallbladder which would polymerize in situ, entrapping existing gallstones and permanently filling the gallbladder so as to prevent subsequent gallstone formation. Initially, several silicone prepolymer mixtures were tested in vitro for viscosity, cure time, radiopacity, and consistency when polymerized. The optimal system with regard to these parameters consisted of two room temperature vulcanizing silicones (3110 and 200), a catalyst (F), and barium sulfate. This mixture was then injected into beakers containing human gallstones alone and in combination with bile, and was periodically evaluated over six months. It was also injected into the gallbladder of six rabbits and left for 12 weeks. No clinical complications were noted in any of the animals. The cured silicone system maintained its original shape and did not fragment. At necropsy, the casts were free in the rabbits' gallbladders, with small accumulations of biliary sludge adhered to their surfaces. No mucocele of the gallbladder was found in any of the rabbits. Cholecystic histology was normal in all cases, and only one animal exhibited a mild chronic portal triaditis. These promising results indicate the need for further studies of the technique and refinement of the silicone formulation.

Short labor: characteristics and outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the characteristics and consequences of short labor. METHODS: Ninety-nine term pregnancies with singleton vertex presentation and labor lasting 3 hours or less were compared with controls with longer labor, matched to the index cases by maternal age, parity, and birth weight. RESULTS: Short labor occurred mostly in multiparas. Both the first and second stages of labor were found to be shortened in these cases. There was significantly more placental abruption, uterine tachysystole, and maternal cocaine use among short-labor cases. Major perineal lacerations, postpartum hemorrhage, birth trauma, and low Apgar scores were distributed approximately equally between cases and controls. A preponderance of the bad outcomes in the short labors occurred in the subgroup of those with rates of dilatation and descent that exceeded established 95th percentile limits. CONCLUSIONS: Labors of 3 hours or less in duration were strongly associated with placental abruption, but were otherwise not major contributors to maternal and fetal morbidity.

Noradrenergic responses to clonidine in acute and remitted depressed male patients.

To investigate noradrenergic function in depression, plasma 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG), plasma norepinephrine (NE), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and heart rate responses to intravenous clonidine (2 micrograms/kg), an alpha 2-adrenergic agonist, were measured in 27 acutely depressed patients, 18 remitted depressed patients, and 27 normal control subjects; a placebo infusion was administered to a subgroup. Clonidine compared with placebo, over a 150-minute time course, decreased plasma NE, MAP, and heart rate, but not plasma MHPG, in the control subjects. Plasma MHPG, plasma NE, MAP, and heart rate at baseline or in response to clonidine and placebo over 150 minutes did not indicate any group differences. The only significant plasma MHPG response to clonidine in the normal control subjects occurred 60 minutes after the infusion. A significantly diminished plasma MHPG response to clonidine at 60 minutes was found in the acutely depressed group compared with the normal control subjects. These results suggest that peripheral inhibitory noradrenergic responses to clonidine are normal in depressed patients, while plasma MHPG responses to clonidine, which have a limited central contribution, appear to be a weak reflection of central noradrenergic function and appear insufficiently robust for a meaningful evaluation of hypothetical group differences in central inhibitory alpha 2-adrenergic activity in this population.

Identification of inappropriate radiological referrals with suspected gallstones: a prospective audit.

The objective of this study was to derive and test clinical scoring system in order to predict the presence of gallstones and to identify inappropriate referrals. The design of this scoring system comprised a prospective audit of all referrals with suspected gallstones and a prospective validation of the system on new patients. The subjects used in the study consisted of 300 inpatient, outpatient and general practitioner referrals to a radiology department with suspected gallstones during the period 1984-1986 (1st cohort) and 200 similar referrals from 1987 to 1988 (2nd cohort). The main outcome measures were gallstones as determined by oral cholecystogram and/or ultrasound of the gallbladder. 32.7% and 24.0% of referrals in the first and second cohorts, respectively, had gallstones. A scoring system to predict gallstones was derived on the first cohort based on age, Murphy's sign, duration and type of pain, presence or absence of flatulence, and source of referral. This scoring system discriminated well between those with and without stones in both cohorts. Low risk groups, comprising about 15% of the referrals in each cohort, were identified with a prevalence of gallstones of 4.5% (1st cohort) and 3.0% (2nd cohort). If these patients had not been referred the radiological workload would have dropped by 15%, with a very small reduction in diagnostic yield. We conclude that prior to radiological assessment it is possible, on the basis of source of referral and symptoms, to identify a group of patients with a low prevalence of gallstones. These cases, with a low diagnostic yield, contribute substantially to the workload of a radiological department.

Mediastinal metastases of infradiaphragmatic malignancies.

Mediastinal lymph node metastases from infradiaphragmatic malignancies are reported to be a rare occurrence. The results of previous studies have been based on the evaluation of chest radiographs. In this study we retrospectively reviewed the chest and abdominal computed tomography examinations of 50 such patients. Of these, 25 had renal cell carcinoma and the remainder, other genitourinary or gastrointestinal carcinomas. The major nodal groups involved in the mediastinum were the right paratracheal in 41 cases, subcarinal in 31, paraesophageal in 26, and aortopulmonary in 25. Hilar nodes were involved in 21 cases. In the abdomen, para-aortic and or retrocrural adenopathy was present in 29 cases. Of 21 patients with pulmonary metastases, only 12 cases were associated with ipsilateral hilar lymphadenopathy. Supraclavicular lymphadenopathy occurred in only 8 patients. These results suggest that spread of infradiaphragmatic malignancies to the mediastinum occurs primarily by extension from the retrocrural and para-aortic nodes into the thoracic duct and then by antegrade flow in the thoracic duct and its collaterals, with retrograde flow from these channels to the mediastinal nodes.

Failure of ultrasound to detect extra-pancreatic abscesses in severe acute pancreatitis.

The development of intra-abdominal abscesses in patients with severe acute pancreatitis can be associated with a mortality as high as 100%. The clinical findings in these patients may be non specific and therefore imaging is essential. Computed tomography (CT) is the imaging modality of choice. However, a satisfactory ultrasound examination may be regarded as sufficient, particularly when there is limited availability of CT. A case of extra-pancreatic abscess complicating severe acute pancreatitis, in whom sonography was "normal", but CT demonstrated the abscess is presented. The importance of CT in these patients in whom an abscess is suspected and our experience with similar cases is discussed.

Ident--a radioisotope-identification subroutine for use with the gamma-ray spectrum analysis program sampo.

A radioisotope-identification and mass-determination subroutine has been added to the gamma-ray spectrum analysis program SAMPO. The subroutine IDENT contains a nuclear data library of 750 gamma-rays that are likely to be encountered in thermal-neutron activation analysis. Peaks found by SAMPO are compared with the library peaks and possible isotope identifications are made. To maximize the degree of confidence in the isotope identification, the subroutine carries out a half-life check and also confirms that the most prominent gamma-ray of the isotope concerned is present. Using the library data, together with information on the neutron flux, duration of the irradiation, subsequent decay time, and gamma-detection efficiency, the subroutine calculates the masses of elements identified in the sample, and can handle spectra acquired during either simple or cyclic irradiation. As well as the calculated masses the output contains information on identifications rejected by certain criteria. The nuclear data library used by the subroutine is presented in this paper in a simplified tabular form, and, as such, may be used for direct isotope identification and elemental mass determination.

Effects of in-vivo administration of taurine and HEPES on the inflammatory response in rats.

The effect of in-vivo administration of N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N'-2- ethane sulphonic acid (HEPES) and taurine on rat paw oedema and reactive oxidant production was examined. Carrageenan-induced paw oedema was attenuated following intraperitoneal injection of HEPES. Chemiluminescence production by isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was reduced in HEPES-treated rats. Taurine-treated rats did not exhibit attenuation of paw oedema using subcutaneous or intraperitoneal administration but intracerebroventricular administration produced a significant reduction at a dosage of 4.0 mumol. No reduction in chemiluminescence production was observed by PBMC using subcutaneous or intraperitoneal administration of taurine, but intracerebroventricular administration produced a significant reduction at a dosage of both 0.4 and 4.0 mumol. Intravenous injection of [14C]HEPES or [3H]taurine demonstrated rapid clearance with a significantly longer half-life of HEPES compared with taurine. These results support previous reports of anti-inflammatory activity of taurine when administered centrally. The lack of anti-inflammatory effect when taurine was administered subcutaneously or intraperitoneally may be a consequence of rapid distribution or clearance. The greater anti-inflammatory effects of HEPES compared with taurine may be due to its slower distribution or clearance in-vivo.

The fraction of inspired oxygen in infants receiving oxygen via nasal cannula often exceeds safe levels.

OBJECTIVE: Measure the fraction of inspired oxygen (F(IO(2))) in infants receiving supplemental oxygen via nasal cannula and identify clinical variables that affect F(IO(2)). METHODS: Hypopharyngeal gas samples were obtained from 20 infants receiving oxygen via nasal cannula at flows between 0 and 4 L/min. F(IO(2)) was calculated using the alveolar gas equation and measurements of partial pressure of oxygen in the samples and the barometric pressure. RESULTS: F(IO(2)) increased as oxygen flow was increased. F(IO(2)) exceeded safe levels (> 60%) in two thirds of samples when the oxygen flow was 2 L/min or higher. Tachypnea (respiratory rate > 40 breaths/min) was associated with lower F(IO(2)). CONCLUSION: Infants receiving oxygen via nasal cannula at > or = 2 L/min may be at risk for hyperoxic lung injury. Therefore, we recommend using the lowest possible oxygen flow needed to maintain normoxia in infants requiring prolonged oxygen therapy via nasal cannula.

Thermally assisted quantum annealing of a 16-qubit problem.

Efforts to develop useful quantum computers have been blocked primarily by environmental noise. Quantum annealing is a scheme of quantum computation that is predicted to be more robust against noise, because despite the thermal environment mixing the system's state in the energy basis, the system partially retains coherence in the computational basis, and hence is able to establish well-defined eigenstates. Here we examine the environment's effect on quantum annealing using 16 qubits of a superconducting quantum processor. For a problem instance with an isolated small-gap anticrossing between the lowest two energy levels, we experimentally demonstrate that, even with annealing times eight orders of magnitude longer than the predicted single-qubit decoherence time, the probabilities of performing a successful computation are similar to those expected for a fully coherent system. Moreover, for the problem studied, we show that quantum annealing can take advantage of a thermal environment to achieve a speedup factor of up to 1,000 over a closed system.

Technical report: an injection technique for repositioning subclavian catheters.

Malpositioned central venous catheters need to be repositioned so as to avoid local toxicity from chemotherapeutic and other agents and to prevent venous thrombosis. We describe a simple, safe and effective technique for repositioning silicone central venous catheters, by using a hand injection of sterile saline. It was successful in all nine patients in whom it was attempted, with no complications. Five catheters were single lumen and four were double lumen. We feel that this method should be attempted prior to the use of more invasive techniques.

Studies into the effect of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor herbimycin A on NF-kappa B activation in T lymphocytes. Evidence for covalent modification of the p50 subunit.

The tyrosine kinase inhibitor herbimycin A was found to block NF-kappa B stimulation in response to interleukin-1 and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate in EL4.NOB-1 thymoma cells and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate in Jurkat T lymphoma cells. The effect appeared not to involve inhibition of tyrosine kinase activation as neither interleukin-1 nor phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate induced major changes in tyrosine phosphorylation in EL4.NOB-1 or Jurkat cells, respectively. Herbimycin A did not interfere with I kappa B-alpha degradation, and in unstimulated cells, it modified NF-kappa B prior to chemical dissociation with sodium deoxycholate. Because herbimycin A is thiol-reactive, we suspected that the target was the p50 subunit of NF-kappa B, which has a key thiol at cysteine 62. Herbimycin A inhibited DNA binding when added to nuclear extracts prepared from stimulated cells, which were shown to contain high levels of p50. Incubation of herbimycin A with 2-mercaptoethanol attenuated the effect. Herbimycin A was also shown to react directly with p50, blocking its ability to bind to the NF-kappa B consensus sequence. However, a mutant form of p50 in which cysteine 62 was mutated to serine was insensitive to herbimycin A. Finally, we demonstrated that the compound inhibited the expression of interleukin-2 (an NF-kappa B-regulated gene) in EL4.NOB-1 cells. These data therefore suggest that herbimycin A inhibits NF-kappa B by modifying the p50 subunit on cysteine 62 in the NF-kappa B complex, which blocks DNA binding and NF-kappa B-driven gene expression. The results urge caution in the use of herbimycin A as a specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor and suggest that the development of agents that selectively modify p50 may have potential as a means of inhibiting NF-kappa B-dependent gene transcription.